Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Time for Tea


Every now and then Jillian and I have a tea party.  We get out my nice dishes, set the table and I try to fix some special little treat. 


It was the perfect day to set aside a little downtime since our next week and a half is going to be busy, busy. 


We had fun setting the table outside on the front porch, since the weather is so beautiful right now.


In the past we've always had hot tea, but we fixed a raspberry mint iced tea today.  (Sweet, of course!)  It was so refreshing.  


I made a couple loaves of french bread this morning, one for meals this week and another for the freezer.  I love making bread, but don't have (or don't make) the time to do it as often as I would like.  It had been a while, so we scarfed half of a loaf, just the two of us! 


The hydrangea bush is in full bloom now. 


 Using pretty dishes is a requirement for any tea party.  (smile) 


You can find the french bread recipe here. This was a new recipe I tried and it was easy and delicious. 


Jillian patiently waited for me to take some photos by putting butter on her bread.  I think the butter probably could have entertained her for an hour.

Meanwhile, Rosetta was also there... on the opposite side of the porch playing in potting soil.  (Boy, she can move fast!)  Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of her... I was too busy running her to the sink.


This sweet picture makes me laugh... look at the butter.  (smile)

 
The tea was something I threw together... I tossed in a handful of raspberries, a few sprigs of mint and some sugar with the hot tea to steep, strained after half an hour and then added cold water.


As it turns out, I was the one that really needed this time.  It's funny how a little time away from the things that trouble you can put everything back into perspective. 


I hope you are all having a wonderful May! 

35 comments:

  1. Awwww..... wish I could've gotten away to join you! It was beautiful and looked so yummy! ~ Mom ~

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love the simplicity of your home. What you and your husband have accomplished must feel so rewarding. Your family is lovely. Your Tea Party on the porch was so inviting. Made me wish I was swinging on that swing and politely asking for "more tea please". Such fun. Makes me reminisce when we built our country home and my girls were little then too. Cherish everday, as the years go so quickly.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Beautiful tablesettng. Such a fun idea. Stop by and link up if you have time
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  4. You take such beautiful photographs! Your front porch setting is so lovely and what a sweet time with your little ones:). The sweet tea recipe and french bread sound delicious...thank you for sharing!

    ~Julia

    ReplyDelete
  5. These photos should be in Victoria magazine. It's all so beautiful and the whole loaf of bread would have been gone had I been invited! what a sweet girl and what a delightful tea party you put on for her! Pinning the tea table. ~ Maureen

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lovely! Makes me miss the days when my daughter was young. She now lives in a different state and I really miss her a lot and the fun things we used to do together.

    ~Linnea

    ReplyDelete
  7. Charming! and beautiful,what a sweet little girl!

    ReplyDelete
  8. ...be still my heart:-)

    here in Virginia, Sweet tea is one of the four basic food groups.

    you've stolen my heart this morning;)

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a beautiful tea party! There is nothing that I enjoy more than tea parties with my granddaughters.

    ReplyDelete
  10. There's nothing like eating outdoors - especially with such a lovely table and homemade bread. Your daughter is a sweetie!

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a lovely way to spend time with your daughter. These are memories that will last forever!

    ReplyDelete
  12. A lovely setting for a picnic and beautiful photos, too! I've got a tea party post of my own coming up soon. (I hope.)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh this looks just lovely! So beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Everything looks so beautiful... my grand-daughter's name is Jillian, I just love that name!

    Wonderful kitchen renovation, too... love the butcher block countertop =)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love your beautiful photos! Your newest follower! Hope you will pop over for a visit~Angie

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a sweet, sweet tea party!
    Mary Alice

    ReplyDelete
  17. Gorgeous and what a beautiful model you have, no wonder your photos are so delightful.

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a lovely, lovely post. Jillian will remember these days when she is all grown up and be so happy. I just love your lovely tea, in every way. The vintage flatware, dishes, everything so simply elegant.

    ReplyDelete
  19. What beautiful photos. Looks like a perfect time. Jillian is a doll. I love ice tea and the beautiful weather..I'm jealous:)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Well...everything IS better with butter. She is learning that early...that and the ways of a lady. Such a sweet table setting and what wonderful memories you are making together. I love it! Thanks for inspiring us to do the same.
    Liz

    ReplyDelete
  21. I want to come over and hang out on your porch all weekend! This is so beautiful - your daughter must have LOVED it! I featured you today in my Friday I'm In Love favorites!

    http://socialsalutations.blogspot.com/2012/05/friday-im-in-love-with-outdoor-projects.html

    XOXO
    Jenn @ Social Salutations

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm so happy I popped in on your lovely afternoon tea time. You are a special mom. I think it's the little things like this that make special memories for a child. What a lucky little girl Jillian is. Hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend. ~ Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  23. Making sweet memories is always a great way to spend the day.

    ReplyDelete
  24. This looks just wonderful! The bread looks scrumptious and the tea delicious. You know I love that chair, right? Is that the one you got at the basement sale. You and I have to go there together, deal????

    Your photos are fabulous, my friend. You are a great photographer. Lessons this direction...okay....

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a beautiful spot to enjoy a cup of iced tea ~ and your little one? Gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Your daughter is such a cutie. And you table setting is gorgeous. Love the ironstone pitcher.

    ReplyDelete
  27. This whole setting is so pretty. You are giving your pretty daughter some wonderful memories.

    ReplyDelete
  28. How sweet! I love your porch and your photography is so beautiful! The table setting is perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  29. such a charming place for tea:) the bread looks yummy and you have a darling little girl:)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Such a pretty homey post! You have a lovely blog. I found you through Brenda!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Gorgeous post! Wonderful tea table and lovely photos.

    I found you through Michael's Just Because Linky Party.

    Signing up for email updates.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I found your blog through a linky party and marked it to favorites and am greatly enjoying perusing it when I get a chance. Just wanted to comment on this one in particular...your daughters are so cute and i love your photographs.
    I am in western pennsylvania and the hydrangea are not in bloom yet though my bush is starting to bud
    I have dishes similar to yours ( perhaps the same pattern, not sure ) that were inheirited from my grandmother ...they look similar...are yours older?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Debra,

      Thanks for visiting and your sweet comment! Yes, the dishes are old, but I'm not sure how old. I bought them at an antique store and they are my favorite dishes. The pattern is Shakespeare Country. How wonderful to have your grandmother's!

      Delete

I always look forward to reading your comments... thank you for taking the time to leave one!

Copyright @ Keeping It Cozy. Blog Design by KotrynaBassDesign